Rock On! Interview with Hot Chelle Rae

Hot Chelle Rae was formed in Nashville, Tn. in 2005 by front man Ryan Follese and guitarist Nash Overstreet. It took very little time after they added bassist Ian Keaggy and Ryan’s younger brother Jamie for this group to make an impact on the pop music scene.

Hot Chelle Rae along with Jason Derulo, Carly Rae Jepson, Cher LLoyd and Emblem 3 will be invading the Sun National Bank Center Arena here in Trenton as part of “Pop Fest 2013” sponsored by 94.5 WPST. “This is definitely a mini tour for us,” said Ryan Follese as I spoke with him in advance of their upcoming Pop Fest appearance. “We’re doing a handful of radio show things but definitely short for us that’s for sure.”

Releasing their first studio album “Lovesick Electric” in 2009, the band took very little time off as they followed that up with 2011’s “Whatever” which produced their first mega hit “Tonight Tonight,” which was certified double platinum and the one that they performed on “Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve.”

I asked Ryan if the band felt any pressure to follow that up with another successful smash single, “Hmmm, we don’t, we feel that if you start living like that, that it kind of messes with your creative mindset. It’s not pressure really, we look at it like a challenge to repeat our success.”

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Part of that success was an arena tour with none other than Taylor Swift, something that took them to Australia twice within the same year, “Yea, Yea, Australia; that whole thing with Taylor started from the ground up, we went over well so we went back six months later, after that we went to Aukland New Zealand which was an awesome experience,” said Ryan.

So after touring the world, what’s Follese’s opinion on coming home to the Nashville Music scene? “It’s surprising actually,” he said. “Nashville isn’t just country, there is a lot of rock down there; kind of real cool.”

Showing no signs of slowing down, the band released the single “Hung Up” as they are currently working on their third CD. “Releasing that on February 15, it’s been received very well. It has a slow feel, it’s creative, funny but in a way it kind of represents our sound. The third CD is going so well, a whole new body of music. We couldn’t be happier with the songs, the body of work, we’re really proud of it. The difference between this one and the last is that we’ve been on the road for the last two years; we’ve grown, learned and also lost a lot. Right now after Pop Fest and some remaining dates, the third record is our priority we cowrote the song “Crazy” with Martin Johnson and we feel that once done, this is going to be the biggest record we’ve ever done; we’re on cloud 9.”

Looking forward to Pop Fest, Follese says that those in attendance are going to be “pleasantly surprised.” “We are going to hopefully play some new songs. My brother is one of the best drummers that I’ve ever seen and our guitarist is a total shredder; this show should be an awesome time!”

“Pop Fest 2013” is May 30 at The Sun National Bank Center in Trenton and tickets can be obtained through the arena at www.sunnationalbankcenter.com or multiple other outlets.

Speaking of our arena here in Trenton, I wish to thank Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey band leader Brett Barlow for allowing me to “sit in” with them and watch them work. Wow! What a great way to see the circus and be privy to all of the behind the scenes interaction. I was given headphones and allowed to listen to the communication between the sound engineers and the band, as well as the band with Barlow. Certainly this was one of the most fascinating things that I’ve ever done and a definite highlight in my music career.